The Anasazi [Hardcover]

Eleanor H. Ayer (Author), Elenor H. Ayer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1992 | Age Level: 9 and up

"The amount of information (Ayer) offers about the Anasazi's origins, life-style, history, dissolution, and descendants is impressive". -- BL. "A welcome addition to a Native American collection". -- NYHS. AAAS, KR, SLJ. 1993.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-Ayer covers the development and dispersement of the Anasazi civilization in a workmanlike manner, from the prehistoric Basket Makers to the historic Pueblo peoples. She describes the methods used by archaeologists to unearth physical evidence of the Anasazi culture and how such relics can lead to theories about the practices of a long-gone population. The book is at its best in describing development in architecture and artifacts, and the progression of technology. On the looser ground of daily living or religious rituals, the author occasionally slips from the possible to the probable (e.g., "The Anasazi seem to have had great respect for nature"). Also, inferring backwards from modern Pueblo to the Anasazi is tempting, but not necessarily accurate. A roster of Anasazi and Pueblo sites to visit is included. A smattering of small black-and-white photos provides scant decoration. This title will be useful to practitioners of whole language, and those studying the beginnings of Native American culture. Scott Warren's briefer Cities in the Sand (Chronicle, 1991) covers some of the same information. Caroline Arnold's The Ancient Cliff Dwellers of Mesa Verde (Clarion, 1992) is more limited and aimed at a much younger audience, and David Petersen's The Anasazi (Childrens, 1991) is briefer still.
Patricia Manning, Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

With a nod to modern archaeological method, Ayer discusses what's known about the remarkable pre-Columbian ``Ancient Ones'' who built a great culture in the Southwest and then mysteriously dispersed around A.D. 1300, and explains how their living spaces evolved into today's breathtaking ruins. Though sometimes moving a bit too quickly through the meager clues to how the Anasazi lived (dendrochronolgy is glossed over; the Bering Strait story may not be familiar to many readers), she offers a wealth of information on the people, their movements during the 900 years when they left traces, and their descendants. Ayer is not always convincing in inferring aspects of Anasazi culture from modern parallels: Did ancient children really go through the same rituals to join secret societies as today? How can we know that ``As they stood on their posts on dark nights [guarding the corn crop], they might smear ashes on their faces in hopes of keeping away witches?'' Some of the more astounding revelations of Anasazi life are also omitted, e.g., the astronomical observatory in Chaco Canyon (see the National Geographic, November 1982) or the tiny handholds used to climb sheer rock faces to mesa villages. A final chapter encourages readers to visit the Anasazi's descendants; locations of villages and ruins are listed. Bibliography. B&w photos & index not seen. (Nonfiction. 10+) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 136 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Company (December 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802781845
• ISBN-13: 978-0802781840
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,160,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hello!, September 5, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Anasazi (Hardcover)

Someone should definately read this book, or it will be gone without a trace, resembling thi Ancient Ones, or Anasazi

3.0 out of 5 stars good book bad service, September 12, 2009

By 

T. schneider "Specific Gravity" (Frog Station, Wi USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Anasazi (Hardcover)

I ordered and read this book after taking a 5 day raft trip through the Canyon lands on the Colorado river near Moab Utah. Hiking up the banks through the sandstone cliffs was amazing- walking into history -literally. This book, along with others I read about the " Ancient Ones" was so interesting. I am sorry to report Amazon continues to send double orders of 50 % of the books I have ordered including this book.Of course I donate these books to charity, but I advise caution using Amazon for ordering books regularly. I would recommend Barnes and Noble Online. Thom Shcneeder.